The largest tax increase in Nevada history was passed by the Nevada Supreme Court (sort of) back in 2003. The hodgepodge of new taxes and tax hikes that year came to $833 million. So that’s the mark legislators this year would have to exceed to go down in history as voting for the largest tax hike in Nevada history…..until the next largest tax hike in Nevada history is passed.
Now the question has been asked by my friend Jon Ralston whether or not some folks would add the revenue from the already-passed room tax increase ($200 million-plus) to any additional tax hikes the 2009 Legislature still might/probably will pass before the session ends to determine whether or not the 2003 record is broken.
While I can’t speak for other folks, our position on this one is a no-brainer.
It doesn’t matter if this Legislature passes tax increases sporadically throughout the session or in one giant lump sum. What matters is the entire combined amount of taxes this Legislature raises or creates during this entire legislative session (especially since they didn’t HAVE to pass the room tax hike and could have let it go to the ballot for “the people” to vote on). And if the combined sum of all tax hikes exceeds $833 million, well, then that will be the new largest tax increase in Nevada’s history.
No ands, ifs or buts about it.
